Connective Living
Counselling & Psychotherapy
"Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes"
- Carl Jung
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- Carl Jung
Psychotherapy is the practice of speaking to a trained therapist confidentially about any thoughts, feelings, beliefs, behaviours, compulsions that you may be struggling with. It begins with uncovering old patterns that cause one to feel ineffective in life and that are no longer useful. This opens the door to being able to make real choices, learning to take the road best suited to the present situation as opposed to following old, habitual courses of action. Through the therapeutic process we learn how to make life affirming choices. The ability to make choices from our core self is different from making everyday rote decisions based on old ways of being.
The positive relationship between a client and a therapist allows for a place to speak freely, honestly, and confidentially without fear of judgement. This offers the client the opportunity to reflect deeply, express freely, develop a clear perspective of their life challenges, and to create a new ground from which to make good choices in the present and into the future. It is important to have the right therapeutic relationship and environment to do this.
Psychotherapy is ultimately about touching fully into our humanity, and becoming more human. As humans it is our nature to desire and value freedom above all else. What does freedom really mean? It has to do with the desire to live a less burdened life. Free from all that restricts or constrains us in our lives. Psychotherapy helps us to rediscover our innate openness to new experiences and our ability to be fully present to be with ourselves and with others.
Psychotherapy is for those of us who want more from life. It is for anyone who feels called to go on a personal journey. It is for those who want to explore life's challenges and to manifest their potential.
As a humanistic psychodynamic therapist, my perspective on healing is that we all have within us the answers for which we are searching in order to lead an authentic life. However, we may need help in recovering that knowledge.
My approach to psychotherapy is holistic. It does not separate the body, mind and spirit, but addresses the relationship between them.
I meet clients for 60 minute sessions, held in a suitably designed therapy space in Bradford, On. Each session is your time where you are free to be yourself and express how you feel. I work on an appointment basis, and have found that regular or reoccurring meeting time creates the optimal environment to aid in my clients personal growth.
Issues in a regular relationship in our lives including our partners, parents, siblings, friends, or coworkers can be very disruptive, upsetting and constant. Helping you to identify the dynamics at play, can often illuminate more choice in your actions and free you from feeling stuck and unhappy in the same old relationship pattern.
Some clients come to see me as they are not feeling fulfilled in their career and want to explore other career options but don't know where to start. Psychotherapy can help alleviate some of the suffering and bring balance and pleasure to your life again.
People struggling with feelings of anxiety, depression, loneliness, low self-esteem or body issues, addictive behaviours, struggles with grief, childhood memories of abuse (physical, sexual or emotional), can benefit from psychotherapy or counselling.
Registered Psychotherapist
Hello. I’m Fran, a registered psychotherapist based out of Bradford, Ontario. I’ve had the pleasure of working with clients since 2011.
I became a member of the Council of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario after I earned my diploma in Existential Integrative Psychotherapy from The Living Institute in Toronto. The 3 year plus program is a holistic and eclectic therapy training program that focuses on psychodynamic, humanistic existential, transpersonal, and archetypal psychologies. Becoming a mother of two inspired me to further my studies in the areas of parenting attachment theories, brain-development research, and best practices in connective parenting. This benefits both parents and non-parents alike.
My previous human resources work in corporate environments set the ground work for learning the art of effective listening and helping individuals find solutions to their problems in a professional manner while maintaining complete confidentiality. I hold a post graduate diploma in Human Resources Management from Georgian College in Barrie and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from York University.
I’m a supportive, open, and non-judgemental psychotherapist who has a passion for my work and compassion for my clients. As a past client of psychotherapy myself, I understand how it feels to sit in the other chair. Respect and sensitivity to all clients is of the utmost importance. I believe that we all have the answers within ourselves and my job as a therapist is to help you learn to hear and honour the voice within. The ultimate goal is to provide greater clarity and understanding in all areas of your life.